Archive | MCs

Ryme Kryme Family Entertainment started in 2002 by these two deeply rooted street hustlers. Releasing a number of mixtapes (The L.R.C.A. (2002), Bullet Proof Love (2004), I-70 Traffic (2006) they started making a name in the Colorado rap scene. In midst of using music as a medium of getting to the top, they were also letting the street business intertwine a little too closely. Up until 2006 things were moving at a steady pace and their street buzz was starting to add up, Creepy Loc and several other RKF recording artists were targeted, charged and convicted of being part of an organized drug ring. The heartless charm of the game swept a majority of the team off the streets leaving IZM White the only man standing on free soil.

He was able to stay out of jail keeping the label afloat releasing solo projects such as Colorado Crack2007, Heart Of CO2008, More Bars In More Places2009. IZM toured across the U.S. as the opening act for Ghost Face Killah on his Wizard of Poetry tour, as well as touring overseas in Switzerland with Main Flow. In late 2009 Creepy Loc returned home from prison and hit the studio hard, immediatly releasing his debute solo mixtape “Return Of A Rider Vol.1″. Soon after In 2010 IZM and Creepy along with M. Mansin dropped a group project “Red White & Blue”. In 2011, RKF continued their stride by releasing Izm White’s critically acclaimed mixtape “Cloud Surfin” (The Smokers Tape) and Creepy Loc’s “Return Of A Rider Vol.2″. With captivating stage presence and undeniable talent Izm White, Creepy Loc and their label Ryme Kryme Family have became regular opening acts throughout Denver and Aspen, CO for legendary artists such as Nas, Scarface, Mobb Deep and many more…

Izm White:Switzerland and Norway were dope, Switzerland reminds me a lot of Colorado actually. I did a three city tour out there with Main Flow of the Hi Tek Ohio super group MOOD, and one of my own shows in Oslo, Norway. Everyshow we did in Switzerland was dope. The crowds showed mad love, they have a real appreciation for hiphop out there. The people are cool, the weed’s good, and the women are pretty, what more can you ask for. After every show we Flow and I partied hard acting straight fools. Crazy story though: The morning I was gonna head to Chamonix, France to snowboard for a few days before my next show in Oslo. Main Flow and I went to the studio to record a track before I caught the train to Chamonix. After I recorded the track I started vomiting lots of blood, all the way to chamonix I threw up mad blood, once I got there my friend took me to the hospital where they treated me for a bleeding ulcer. I couldn’t eat or drink for 3 days, and all I could have were these little moistureized cotton swabs to suck on while I was on an I.V. I lost a lot of blood and stayed there recovering for 4 days not being able to speak a lick of french. I ended up having to threaten to take the I.V. out my arm on the fifth day because I had a show in Norway that night and was determined to make it. I had never been to Norway and was finally eating some soft foods and feeling better. I had to have the promoter talk to the nurses and I guess she threatened to call the police on them for kidnapping if they wouldn’t let me go on my own will. So they made me sign my life away basically saying the hospital isn’t responsible for my death, and then the old french guy in the bed next to me walked with me outside the hospital to where he could point to where the train statin was at. I thanked him, then went and got on the train to Geneova where I caught the next flight to Oslo, Norway. I only perfomed three songs that night because I was so weak and drained from losing so much blood and not eating, but I still rocked the house and got a lot of love from the fans in Norway. It was a crazy trip I fux with Europe.

USM: Everbody knows IZM love’s to smoke, how happy are you that Colorado legalized marijuana this year?

Izm White: It’s monumental, but long over due! It feels good to enjoy a joint and not be treated like a criminal! Denver now has more weed stores than it has Starbucks and Mcdonalds combine. And I would go even as far as saying Colorado has better weed than Cali, yup I just said it COLORADO HAS BETTER WEED THAN CALI!”

USM: Creepy the first time we heard you rap was on Ryme Kryme Family’s 2004 mixtape “Bullet Proof Love” which was almost 9 years ago, since then you’ve been in and out of prison, released a number of mixtapes and have brought out many national hiphop acts to perform in Denver through your production company RKF Promotions. How have you noticed the game change over the past 10 years?

Creepy Loc: The game has changed drastactlly, its harder now to get noticed, it seems like everyone’s a rapper now a days. And all these kids think they gotta do is record a song on their computer and upload it to Youtube. The era I came up in you actually had to put in work, you had to Show-n-Proove!

USM: What can we expect next from Ryme Kryme Family Ent. as a label?

Creepy Loc: We are gearing up to release IZM White’s debute solo album: (still untitled) which is our main focus right now, but in the meantime we are going to release a new RKF mixtape titled “Welcome 2 the Family”. Also be on the look out for my new mixtape “Return Of A Rider Vol.3”, as well as RKF’s newest addition to the family Lowdy Trail‘s new mixtape “Subconcious Music”. We can’t stop, and wont stop, its RKF4L2D!

If you’re not familiar with Rittz you may think he’s a new artist. You may think because you just found out he signed to Strange Music you’re ahead of the game and know a little something about him. Truth is Rittz came from the bottom, struggling his way to the top during the golden era of hip hop in one of the most acclaimed cities for breeding “What’s hot in hip hop” to this day. While starting to rhyme in the early ninties, Rittz got with his boy Ralo and became part of a group Ralo & Rittz. They imitated Outkast and looked up to the mega giants of Atlanta. He recalls “Outkast, Goodie Mob… It was a great time for Atlanta, to me that music was just classic Atlanta rap shit. That was a great time in music.”

Being from Gwinnett County wasn’t quite the place to be from to claim street cred as a rapper. In the nineties the upper North East suburb of Atlanta wasn’t recognized for creating famous rappers. “There was a little bit of a line drawn because I live in the suburbs of Atlanta so the line was drawn where I was from than actually being in Atlanta.” He dropped out of high school and hit moments in his life when times were getting really scary for him. He had set forth to become a famous rapper and if this didn’t happen, he nods his head rather not wanting to think of what could have been the outcome if his time didn’t come and Strange Music didn’t added him to the roster.

USM: What were the politics of coming up in the Atlanta rap game?

Rittz: The formula was really getting a song, trying to get it played on the radio or in the strip club. So it was a lot of grimy shows, where you’re standing all night in trap spots waiting to perform two songs. Then there was so many trends in Atlanta with Atlanta being on top of the rap game for so long. You had Crunk, then Snap, and then the Trap shit. It was hard being me making the type of music I make to get on. I finally got on the radio in 2007 and that’s when I started getting a little push. I was with Chrome Recordings, a label I was with then. We just got on the Battle Grounds, a little contest they do on 107.9 where if you win 5 nights in a row they retire your track.

USM: What track was that?

Rittz: It was song called “770” the area code where I’m from. So everyone in the 770 were calling in and requesting that song. I was reppin real hard cause Atlanta didn’t fuck with Gwinnett. Now it’s changed, they gotta say the North Side. Before they’d say “South to the East Side West Side”. Now you’ll here it mentioned with the different rappers being from different areas. It was crazy but after that everything just kind of fell flat.

USM: What did you do between that and Strange Music?

Rittz: I did a lot of things career wise, different managers different opportunities all through out just grinding. My manager Scender was in a group with Yelawolf“The Dixie Mafia”. Scender was Yela’s homie, when he moved to Atlanta he looked up local rappers, seen my shit. It was through him that me and Yelawolf hooked up. Me and Yela were kinda rappin’ comin up on the Atlanta seen. He was coming up pretty big and I was trying to get down to where he was doing his shit at. We ended up being tight. He got me the studio time to do “White Jesus” and gave me the opportunity to come off his momentum by putting me on “Box Chevy Pt. 3”. I did the Slumerican Tour and was just pushing “White Jesus”.

USM: Where did your title “The Life And Times Of Jonny Valient” come from?

Rittz: It’s just a nickname I had growing up. My names Jonny and my homeboys would just call me that. I put out “White Jesus” on some nickname shit. I wanted a title that was going to be controversial, but with this I wanted it to be something that was more about my life. To let people in on me, exactly Rittz. I kind of knew I wanted to name it that because before the Yelawolf thing I was going to name my album “Jonny Valiant Vol. 0”. That just never happened, those songs got shelved and I came out with “White Jesus”. So I kinda knew what I was gonna name it.

USM: After a long road, your debut album hits the stores 4/30/13… is that your main focus right now?

Rittz: Yea I’ve been focusin’ like a motha fucker. Basically I got off the Slumerican Tour with Yelawolf November 17th. I had then until the end of December to write the album. I write slow… it takes me awhile. So I was under pressure, I wrote a lot on the bus but not enough. The pressure was on as soon as I got back in town. I got Thanksgiving out of the way and it was just like bang. Plus you gotta have bonus tracks so all together I have like twenty something songs. With the stress of my first album and getting it done, being with a new label, and then with the Independent Powerhouse Tour coming up. It was just a lot of shit going on at once, but now I’m just happy to be on the road, album bout to come out… a little bit of pressures easin’ off.

You could feel the weight of Jonny Valiant’s past lift off his shoulder’s as we finished up the interview and he proceeded with his day on tour with Strange. He started as an underdog in one of the biggest rap mecca’s and finally grasp his dream because he never gave up. He fought strong to the top and at the end of the day he’s signed to largest independent label in the world. You can say what you want about Mr. Rittz but at this moment anyone who ever doubted him is looking back like man that’s the guy who we never thought would make it. Although he carry’s his swag to the fullest in his latest video’s such as “Like I Am”… in person he carry’s himself with utmost humble respect. For tomorrow you will get to hear the full story on “The Life And Times Of Jonny Valiant”. You can cop that at www.strangmusicinc.net or any of your local retailers. Lift your cup to a true vet!

USM: Any last words?

Rittz: I just really want to say thanks, thanks to everyone who fucks with me! This rap shit not easy… at all. That 21 years of grindin is real shit. I’m really appreciative of anything I got going on, anybody who gives me attention, or interested and listens to my music it’s a big deal.

As the third anniversary of Guru death make it’s desolate cycle, the hearts of many loyal hiphop fans still live with the somber untimely death like it was yesterday. So many unanswered questions still only known to Solar who was at the center of the controversy. Did he do what was right? Was this really what Guru wanted? Has his family made mends with him? Does his decisions still haunt him to this day?… Well, really only he can answer those questions… Will he?

Most likely not. After Guru’s death he basically went into hiding. Claiming he was going to revamp Jazzmatazz and keep Guru’s dream alive. Nobody has heard any of that. His twitter account was hacked and in 2010 after a series of tweets degrading himself by the hacker nothing else was done to fix that, to clean up his name. He has seemed to give up what he said he was going to do. No tweets from Guru’s account since 2010 have popped for any reason either… Does somebody have access to that account… It’s verified by twitter! Yet nobody knows how to feel about the legend passing. Is it anger, or pure grief that his exit was filled with such controversy? We can’t put a finger on it but at some point we need to release him to eternal peace and let the past be the past. Guru obviously had love for Solar he was with him day in and day out for the last 6 years of his life. He managed his career and from the emails, people got a devious vibe from what he was trying to set up as if he was using Guru and walking all over him. Was he just being a manager trying to keep him afloat? They toured through Europe and the U.S. together. Will he ever release more music they had made that still exists? So many unanswered questions with so little closure. Will the recluse come back out and try to justify his actions. If so, he possibly would have tried to already.

As far as what really matters is he was one of the greats. His death resides in special place in the heart of hip hop just as Tupac, Biggie, and many other legends that lost their life before their time. It takes it to another level such as Elvis or Michael Jackson, to the point where we don’t even want to believe they died. Of course that’s what music is about, that the soul lives forever through music which at this point through technology will never go anywhere. We hope this interview may answer some questions, maybe give you a better understanding as to what they were going for with the music they were creating. You see the love they had for each other as you’ll hear Guru refer to Solar as “Lord” and “God” several times. Which is nothing out of the ordinary for East Coast slang, but they must have built a relation that they set in motion to create the last of Guru’s collection of music. What’s really the truth as far as Solar is concerned only Guru and Solar and maybe some of his family know, but after a few months of his death it was just… silence. DJ Premier spoke out unhappily about the situation.

I hear the cocky side of Solar in this interview as he interrupts Guru a few times and at the same time I hear someone who is actually really saying something. Of course Guru could kill it in just one sentence where as Solar took his time to get his point across. I do hear empathy coming from him but at the same time it’s his way of thinking that is the truth in their world. It sounds to me like his beliefs is what you’re suppose to go by, as he expresses himself with such confidence. That may be why Guru grasped him as his manager feeling he was ailing so much that he needed a strong person behind him. To the point where he said “Here’s the keys, you drive”. He sat back and let him do the hard part to make it easier for him to do what he did best. Spit ill poetry to the people he raised as the first generation of Hip Hop. Your Voice Lives On Forever! RIP GURU

In 2003 he spit his first freestyle while out a house a party. From there it was a snowball effect of practicing and writing rhymes that led him to the decision he made to give up all the fun stuff and actually become a performer. In 2005 he came out with the mixtape series “Mixtapes Most Wanted” which had 2 volumes to the collection. U.T.I.C.A. reminisces… “It was all jackin’ for beats. Back then in the mixtape game that was new and that’s basically how people figured the format was at the time.” Little did he know this would actually be a future career move.

Getting noticed by Nino of Stellar Music Entertainment, a local tycoon who’s been in the Denver rap scene for over a decade. Nino felt the lack of organization and business ethic in Denver’s music industry, deciding it was time to make his artists actually sign record deals. Offering the artists studio time, quality videos, and topnotch quality graphic design from the labels in-house graphic company N-Lyne Designs in exchange for his piece of the pie of the artists music. In 2010 U.T.I.C.A. signed a legitimate record deal with SME. Since has released two professional projects, several music videos and has learned to work at a pace which consists of sticking to schedules, meeting expectations of not only his label but of the fan base he since built.

USM: How did you link up with Nino and sign to Stellar?

U.T.I.C.A.: I came across Nino in 2007. I had freshly did a project. He reached out to a fellow artist of mine. So it was through a mutual friend at the time. I did some work back in 2010 with Young Cracka on a video called “They Don’t Like Me”. Later in 2010 after the video I officially signed to SME.

USM: Tell me about your rise to success with Stellar. What projects and videos have you done?

U.T.I.C.A.: I started a 3 part series with my first album release being “The Nomination”. Then came “The Campaign” which was my second release. I shot 3 videos off that album. I shot one for “Say Yeah Pt. 2”. I dropped one for “Dreams”. Then I shot one for “Shining Star” featuring Jonathan Carey. Right now I’m working on a project that’s all original “The Revolution” which is the last of a three part series and ends the saga.

USM: Which tracks are you really grasping off the project “The Revolution”?

U.T.I.C.A.: It’s early in it’s stages right now. But this track we’re shooting the video for “We Be Mobbin”… it’s just one of those joints I got from Chef Premier. It was like real easy to just whip something up for it. It’s an inspiring track that I just go straight bars on.

USM: Break a line down out of the song for me…

U.T.I.C.A.: I have a part that says “They say that this life’s a bitch / Well I think that saying is over used / The time for change has been overdue / So don’t play the game if you ain’t know the rules / Like Juice said we’s built to win / But coming in we was born to lose / So be who ever that you want to be / and you can do whatever it is that you want to do!” Basically just saying I get tired of cats saying “Life’s a bitch” or this and that. It’s more just saying get up and get yours. If that’s the case you can do what you want to do and be who you want to be. You just got to do it and get to it!

USM: Where do you get your name from and what’s behind that?

U.T.I.C.A.: Well it’s an acronym for Undeniably The Illest Cat Around but I get the name because that’s the block I grew up on a majority of my life. Shout out to the “U” Block. Really I’m a regular dude that wants to do extraordinary things, but at the time there’s a dude inside me that’s very flashy that every now and then comes out. That can take control of the situation and grab attention. Performing has always been in my blood. I used to be a singer but after pounds of marijuana I just kind of lost it. (laughs)

U.T.I.C.A.: The scene in Denver is finally starting to build some character and grow. We’re always gonna be a melting pot. I don’t think we’ll ever have a sound, a specific sound. We’re always gonna be a place where you can grab from here, you can grab from there. I like it, lyricists are stepping their bars up, performers are stepping their performances up. Bands are making great music. There’s still kinks and bugs we can work out. We’re definitely headed in the right direction.

USM: What’s U.T.I.C.A.’s niche in the game?

U.T.I.C.A.: I make feel good music. I have a knack to make songs that are catchy, but at the same time I feel like you have to cover a variety of subjects. If you’re happy when the song comes on and you start moving and you’re happy after that track, that’s what I really want to make.

USM: Any shout outs?

U.T.I.C.A.: Shouts to first of all my Stellar team. www.stellarmusicent.com Holla at Nino and N-Lyne Designs check them out. Holla at Young Cracka for features. My boy Sid Madrid. Shouts to Midnight Run, Jeremy Pape, John Carey of course, Clearview Films and 8ight Tha Sk8. Unda$treaM Magazine appreciate you very much. Everybody I forgot apologies but much love and respect to everyone that supports our movement out here.

With a hard working label behind him, hearing his first album would convince you he is one of Denver’s vets. The only problem is he’s only been in the rap game for a year and a half. We said it before that the boss of C.P.C.(Certified Playaz Committee) Playa Intenze was one of the few who did a good job of bridging the gap between Denver and Aurora. When Wriky Knotz jumped on board he took the torch from Intenze with out even remembering to ask him if it was ok. Being added as the last four of the seven member squad, the camp was already into their second mixtape promoting the new label. With 5280 Wayz 2 Hustle dropping soon after the Hood Money Mixtape the independent label out of the West Side of Denver, Colorado was starting to get noticed. Wroyal Nature Family was the first group mixtape which consisted of West One, Wriky Knotz, Kawn G, Lil Stunna and Kuff Wunn. This was the third cd in less than 2 years time and nothing was slowing up. They opened the show at the 3rd Annual 5280 Awards in 2011 as a label and still no one was sure really who was who. They all had an individual swag and not for a minute let up their confidence.

When 2012 kicked in gear the video making began. Playa Intenze put together an all white video shoot with a cast of cameo’s that included some of Denver’s biggest artists and sexiest lady’s. While at the shoot, I was yet to be able to point out all of the new C.P.C. members by name but after that night I was able to determine who Wriky Knotz was. I was posted at the bar when I heard “What’s up Breez” I look over and seen one of the young members of Wroyal Nature Family reach over to pass me a shot. I toasted to the life and continued my night as different scenes were shot and everyone was doing their thing. Then when I thought most of the scenes were finished up and it was coming to an end I heard one of the new C.P.C. cats say “Babe give me them racks”. I’m thinking she’s going to reach in and hand him a few wads of cash folded with rubberbands. I look over and see her reaching in having trouble getting the money out and who I now know as Wriky Knots helps her pull out a stack about 8 inches tall. All the bills were laid out flat in a big rubberbanded brick. It wasn’t just a couple hundreds hiding a bunch 5’s and 10’s. It was racks on racks on racks of who knows… 10 g’s or more. After that it wasn’t hard to put a name to the face.

In 2012 Wriky Knots dropped his first solo album putting him in the lime light as one of Denver’s newest but well known artists. He did video after video… some with all of Wroyal Nature, a few solo, others with West One his right hand man. He also cameo’d in several others. Before you knew it his solo full length all original LP was near its release and the talk of the town was his release party. November 10th, 2012 marked the date for it and when I asked how it went his response was… “It was a bitter mistake, I was surprised. I actually under estimated it.”West One tuned in “It was maxed out bro!” By collaborting with Clearview Films8ight Tha Skate of Aurora on a lot of his video’s and now has actually been featured on a song with 8ight, he not only pulled in his local following from the West Side but had half of Aurora in the building as well. Don’t get me wrong when you’re doing trap music you tend to attract the D-Boyz and of course all the girls want to be where the D-Boyz are but this was more than that. It was him riding the wave of what a consistent grind can build when you push it to the limit. So I caught up with Knotz and was able to get the inside scoop of whats to come from C.P.C. West One jumped in on the interview and helped with the breakdown…

USM: How many video’s did you shoot in 2012?

Wriky Knotz: Shit… I lost count!

USM: Natural Born Hustla was your freshman album, how did that change the game for you?

Wriky Knotz: Really it just made me want to raise the bar. Don’t get me wrong Natural Born Hustla was a straight slap make sure you go peep it, but be ready for my new one cause every one just gets double as hard. That’s all I’m gonna do is get better and better. Every album that comes out I’m raising the bar! Independent Records sold a bunch the first few weeks, which was big being no one knew who I was.

USM: What would you say is one of the major road blocks in Denver?

Wriky Knotz: None! Anything that is a road block, I see as lunch meat. Anything that gets in my way I’m gonna treat as lunch meat!

USM: C.P.C. is independent, but would you consider signing a deal?

Wriky Knotz: We’ll deal with a label, but we’re not gonna sell our life over. If the money’s right!

USM: How long have you been in the game?

Wriky Knotz: We really only established ourselves a year and a half ago. We’re kind of fresh. Especially me. Two years ago nobody would ever expected me to be rapping. C.P.C. was started 3 years ago by Playa Intenze with Yung A.G. and West One. A year and a half ago they added me, Kuff, Lil Stunna, and Kawn.

USM: Who are you working with on production at this point?

Wriky Knotz: Looney from Bass Gang. I shouldn’t even have to say this, but don’t sleep on that man. He’s one of the top producers in Denver right now.

West One: He kills shit.

Wriky Knotz: Natural Born Hustla was produced by the Trapmaticians. Mostly Vitamin E. They’re out of Cali.

West One: I got TC Crook and MF Two. I’m looking around doing some window shopping. TC Came through on Hustle Heavy. Also be on the lookout for my new video “G Shit” featuring Tommy Brown. Shout out to Dope City.

USM: What else should everyone be on the lookout for from the camp?

photography by USM

Wriky Knotz: We just dropped the song Trap Life featuring Lil Keke and West One. Look out for the video coming real soon, Keke is in it! Yung AG has “G’z and Gentz” coming soon that’s his first LP. Playa Intenze is coming with exclusive solo LP “A Brownprint Of A Latin Boss” I have a huge one coming that we’re doing the video to too. “Who Am I (Remix)” that shit features like 15 artists from every hood in this bitch. It’s gonna be complicated pulling that together but that’s happening real soon.

West One: I have “Hustlaz Roulette” coming real soon be ready. That’s my first solo album. Kuff One and Lil’ Stunna coming out with a mixtape. Kawn G has a mixtape coming too.

USM: Any last words?

Wriky Knotz: Shout out to everyone who knows I love em’. To everyone else fuck em’!

West One: Mile High Salute. West Side!

Be sure to click his Natural Born Hustla LP up in our sidebar and check out snippets on itunes to purchase any of your favorite songs!

Though they ain’t to proud to brag, long before signing to Strange Music you could find C.E.S. Cru covering the walls anywhere in the vicinity that you found Godemis and Ubiquitous. Godemis whose former vigilante name began as Sket, expresses how much fun graffiti was compared to rap. ” You wear a mask, you go out at night, its like you’re a super hero.” Ask fans today and some will probably argue that the duo is stil a set of super hero’s. Ubiquitous formulated the name Craft, but it never officially stuck. It was all about C.E.S. CRU! They both look back on the good ol’ days with smirks and head shakes, once upon a time when they sprawled their neighborhood with C.E.S. Cru stickers and stencils. Not realizing that their landlord owned all of the surrounding 2 blocks. They let the maintenance man in for a quick repair, when he noticed the symbol. Ubiquitous was called into the leasing office only to be told that if he didn’t get out there and clean everything he damaged they would press charges. He proceeded to go clean all the walls he had thoroughly saturated with C.E.S. CRU with hoping that when he was done, the landlord didn’t kick him out anyway. That may have been the turning point when he realized there had to be a better way to represent his crew and decided to leave Craft behind. They found making music a better way to express themselves and in 2004 came together as rap duo using words as the weapon of mass destruction instead of spray paint.

While in biology class in college Ubi came across “Ubiquitous”. A word that’s quite relative to what C.E.S. Cru represents. If you look at what Strange has accomplished, he fits right in. “It’s just a word in the dictionary, that means: 1.To be ever present. 2. To be in all places at one time. It’s not omniscience and it’s not omnipotence. Some people confuse it with it being a god thing. It’s omnipresence. Just to be everywhere at once.” Ubiquitous explains

Godemis on the other hand came across his name while watching an old Ani-Ma movie. Not knowing if he was sure about it. He brought it up to some friends “I was hanging around some 5% Muslim guys at the time. I let them know that I had been throwing that name around. They were kinda like, that’s perfect for you and it just stuck.” Don’t get comfortable with that name though. Godi has a list of alias’s that would fool any law enforcement officer if approached. “I’m that guy with seven names anyway. There’s also Jason Dean, Godemis Ish, Jason Hasselhoff, If You Nasty, with the latest installation being the title of his solo mixtape “The Deevil”. And you know what? A year from now I’ll probably think of something else to call myself.”

When they first came up with the meaning to C.E.S. Cru, it originated as “Conglomerate Elements of Self-Consciousness.” Ubiquitous assures “The purpose of C.E.S. Cru is… It’s to be re-invented.” As they searched for different meanings, they came up with the idea that every album would be titled a different acronym for C.E.S. Cru. So with the first album completed the title came to life as “Capture Enemy Soldiers”. Thinking they were going to continue changing the acronym album by album. They decided to fall back on the original plan not wanting to be boxed in. So in 2009 named their second independent LP “The Playground” which is available on itunes.

Heading for success they were discovered by Tech N9ne while opening for Devin The Dude in 08′. Having to be patient, it wasn’t until 2012 that they were actually signed and became part of the biggest independent label in the world. The first project was an EP released only digitally titled “13”. This quickly climbed to itunes Top 5. This was just a brief warm up to prepare them for what Strange Music had in store for them. After joining the Hostile Takeover Tour breaking records with the team for the most shows in the least amount of time. It was time to begin their first LP.

The way the creative process works at Strange is, first you come up with a title… Then you conceptualize your album around it. Ass backwards to their usual routine, they pondered titles of the LP. It was only then they decided to search their roots and reconsider what they once had set as their master plan. They remembered before they threw out the idea to recreate the title of C.E.S. on every album, the title of their second album was going to be “Constant Energy Struggles”. Thinking of some of situations they encountered and the levels of energy they vibe on, sticking to their roots turned out to be a no brainer. So that it was, they were back on the path they once set out for… except this time with a record label to back them. “Lotus” was the first song they created visuals for and within a month of its release generated over 100,000 views on YouTube. The promotional campaign began and on March 15th of this year they set off for the second tour with the fast moving label “The Independent Powerhouse Tour” with their album scheduled to drop while into the second week of tour. Another video off the LP “When Worlds Collide” was released weeks after, which is now on mtvU‘s “You Pick The Video That Gets On Air”! This Week’s Best Freshmen Video. Click the link to vote for them now!

Deciding on which song to turn into the next video. Godi and Ubi agreed “Meditate” was at the top of the list as a favorite to both of them. Taking the opportunity to capture footage during their performance at The Filmore in Denver, CO. Ubiquitous explains how it relates to the theme of the album. “It sticks to the message of metaphysics and our title ‘Constant Energy Struggles’, but it’s also digestible. It’s not super lofty in its thinking to where it’s like talking down to you. Its real grounded. We were really focused mentally.”

Godemis leans towards “Day Dream” as one of his favorites. “It’s easier listening, one of the softer songs on the album. He and I were speaking on real life experiences since signing to Strange Music. How life has changed and I think fans are really going to connect to it. It pairs really well with “Time Is Now” off our EP “13”. It’s in the same vein and fans love that song. I knew they would.”

The two both relate to the subjects of the album in many different ways. Some of the content recycled from comic books they use to read to their examination into the curiosity of life and the different energies that surround us. Ubiquitous referred to the album as their canvas and the subject matter of their songs as their paintbrushes. You can even find Godemis quoting Bruce Lee on “Lotus”. They were both familiar enough with the theme of the album, they were able to play with it but not be constrained to it completely. To clean off their paint palettes and enter the doors of Strange with a fresh start they simultaneously released pre-recorded solo albums on April 6th of 2012 for free download. Hadn’t they been signed to Strange they admit they would of pressed them up and sold them themselves. Godemis as earlier explained used his newest alias “The Deevil” and Ubiquitous came with “Matter Don’t Money”. You can find both albums at www.cescru.com. Oh yeah if your wondering why you haven’t seen Godemis with his white eyes, it’s probably because he lent them to Hopsin. “He can have em’, I got weird shit all day!” Godi laughs.

Detroit Hip Hop producer Lord Jessiah (Black 7 Productions) has been hard at work developing the brand of Black 7 Productions along with Sun Tzu Cadre crafting his unique blend of soulful beats with hard core socially conscious hip-hop. Coming full throttle with the premier single, “Blitzkrieg”, from his forthcoming solo release, G.O.D.. Having initially establishing himself within the production team of the Michigan based group and Wu-Affiliates Dezert Eez, Lord Jessiah is now poised to release his first full length studio album entitled Grounds Of Detroit (G.O.D.)March 2013.
The “Grounds Of Detroit” (G.O.D.) album presents a collage of their hometown (Detroit) which is illustrated through rugged beats and aggressive lyrics. Lord Jessiah boldly warns that this project is the opposite of current contemporary hip-hop that has taken over the airwaves, and promises to deliver the cutting edge hard core fundamental hip-hop that has been missing for over a decade.

VS.

In a strange coincidence Denver’s hardcore and at times controversial rapper Morning Star of Street Life Inc. has announced the release of his new mixtape with the same acronym I’m G.O.D. Hosted by Dee Jay Sinafold. Only his stating the claim Greatest Of Denver.
After listening through Grounds Of Detroit and knowing the MC’s that have came out of Detroit. This one is going to be a coin toss. The Detroit album definitely has some spitters on there with a lot of what the game has been aching for, true lyrical content with dope beats to go with it.
On the contrary Morning Star teamed up with MF Two of Get Cake Muzik Group and also Anthony “Scrilla Scratch” Rodriguez who is Street Life’s in house producer for production. Both producers known for bringing heat as well as working with various well known artists. Very odd comparities: Both using producers close to them. Both coming up with albums titled G.O.D. dropping in the same month. Although Morning Star’s is yet to be released or even yet to release a drop date. Dee Jay Sinafold dropped a statement via facebook “Ridin’ around bumpin’ the new Mixtape from Morning Star “I’m G.O.D.” You jealous? Don’t be release date coming soon!” on March 16th. Since nothing has been heard of a release date. It seems hip hop is taking it’s cycle and the music who everyone is always complaining they don’t hear any more is in fact out there. It’s up to you the audience to find it and give it a chance. Morning Star a talented MC in the booth has been hard at work fighting to get his name heard and at times uses very radical ways of doing so. This time being a picture of Jesus flipping you off. Hey that’s hip hop! We’ll be updating you as soon as we get the release of Star’s Greatest Of Denver to let you decide for yourself.

Doomtree is keeping busy with tours, a radio show and mixtapes. Both Mike Mictlan and Dessa have upcoming tours. Mictlan’s is in support of his most recent release Snaxxx. He will be playing a couple headlining shows before hitting the road with B. Dolan and Toki Wright on the Strange Doom Sayers Tour. Dessa will be heading out this Saturday with her full band to perform songs off of her previous release Castor, The Twin as well as songs that will be on her upcoming release, due out this summer. Midway through she will hit up SXSW to perform at three showcases including her very own on 3/15 at Hangar Lounge. She was also recently added to NPR’s list of Artists to Discover at SXSW. Tour dates for both Mike and Dessa are below. P.O.S is set to play a few upcoming festival shows including Sashquash, Soundset and Westword Music. Mixed Blood Majority (the collaboration between Doomtree’s Lazerbeak, Crescent Moon (of Kill The Vultures) and Joe Horton (of No Bird Sing) will also be performing at this year’s Soundset.

P.O.S announced this week that he will be hosting a new radio show on The Current called “P.O.S is ruining The Current” (if you don’t get it “P.O.S Is Ruining My Life” is a track off of Audition released in 2006). The show will air Saturday nights at 11pm CST starting March 30th.

Doomtree producer/DJ extraordinaire Paper Tiger is trying to get everyone to brushoff those winter blues with the return of the 20 Min Mix. Each Friday in March he will be releasing a 20 Min Mix to get everyone dancing and ready for Spring.

After watching this battle we had to step up and state what we saw. Since Mr. Dizaster put the nail in Canibus’ coffin we’ve all been waiting to see the next battle. Like boxing or UFC all the hype is built up and after all the anticipation here it is “The Main Event”. Winners ride their streak like Kimbo and walk into a brick wall losing to a competitor that well, usually shouldn’t have a chance. In this heated dispute. Arcane held ground against a vicious opponent who quoted to Canibus “now it feels like I’m putting my own dog to sleep”. Unfortunately Diz had a bad day in the ring this time. If you subtract Round 2 from the battle, it brings this one to a lot closer match. At one point I felt like Mr. Dizaster was standing right in Canibus’ shoes. Wait… This is where Mr. Dizaster gets his bit of credit for this one. After losing his cool seconds after Arcane touched him for the last time, Mr. Dizaster seemed ready to climb under a rock. In a case which I think a lot of MC’s would of folded and threw the towel, Diz came back pretty hard in Round 3. At that point it was already too late though. Arcane was 2 consistent rounds into it before he started hammering away at Dizasters coffin to this battle. As far as content Diz… and the judges say it at the end, he just spent to much on the Caustic thievery and passing the papers out in his outlandish way. If it’s true that he bought bars or whatever, then smash the ghost writers bars and just go in to where it don’t matter who the fuck wrote the shit… you killed it! In the end, all the time spent on that I think fueled some poor sportsmanship. Maybe thats what needs to happen sometimes, when people start veering from the subject. Arcane was there to rap, that’s it. As far as the whole writing thing, I feel none of these battles should be planned, it should all be a surprise and freestyled to prove someones true skill. KOTD may just want to close the curtains to the next battle in some way to build the hype so people don’t start turning their heads like the way boxing is looked upon these days.